READ:

As we continue to study the timeless words of the apostle Paul in Romans, the profound message of rescue, redemption, and restoration comes alive. Paul also embodied the last words of Jesus to the disciples “…and you will be my witnesses….”
Men and women of the Bible can serve as our mentors and guides as we learn to be effective witnesses.

Read or listen to Galatians 1:11-24.

For I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that the gospel preached by me is not of human origin. For I did not receive it from a human source and I was not taught it, but it came by a revelation of Jesus Christ.

For you have heard about my former way of life in Judaism: I intensely persecuted God’s church and tried to destroy it. I advanced in Judaism beyond many contemporaries among my people, because I was extremely zealous for the traditions of my ancestors. But when God, who from my mother’s womb set me apart and called me by his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son in me, so that I could preach him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with anyone. I did not go up to Jerusalem to those who had become apostles before me; instead I went to Arabia and came back to Damascus.

Then after three years I did go up to Jerusalem to get to know Cephas, and I stayed with him fifteen days. But I didn’t see any of the other apostles except James, the Lord’s brother. I declare in the sight of God: I am not lying in what I write to you.

Afterward, I went to the regions of Syria and Cilicia. I remained personally unknown to the Judean churches that are in Christ. They simply kept hearing, “He who formerly persecuted us now preaches the faith he once tried to destroy.” And they glorified God because of me.

What do you learn from Paul’s way of narrating his testimony that you could employ in telling your own story?

The written Scripture is CSB, however, the audio Scripture is ESV.

FOCUS:

Read the blog below. What does it teach about being a witness?

Embracing the Digital Mission

By Abigail Croy

In a world driven by technology, the digital landscape has become an ever-expanding mission field for followers of Christ seeking to spread his message of love, grace, and salvation. Technology enables us to reach people from all corners of the globe, surpassing geographical barriers and helping connect hearts with the gospel.

As believers, we are called to be witnesses for Christ in all aspects of our lives, the digital realm being no exception. Sometimes it can seem as though we have two separate versions of ourselves: our actual, in-person self, and our online self. As intangible as it can feel, our online and offline self are one and the same.

This begs the question, as believers and witnesses for Christ, is the way we represent ourselves online reflective of the person we are offline? Does our witness for Christ extend beyond the person we are on Sunday morning, from our posts to our comments to our private DMs?

Here are some effective ways we can be a powerful witness for Jesus Christ using technology.

Cultivate a Christ-Centered Digital Presence

Our online presence reflects our character and values. To be a witness for Christ, we should ensure our social media accounts, blogs, websites, and any other online platforms consistently reflect Christ’s love and teachings. You can do this through things like sharing uplifting content, Bible verses, and personal testimonies that demonstrate how Jesus has transformed your life.

Finally brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable — if there is any moral excellence and if there is anything praiseworthy — dwell on these things.
Philippians 4:8

Keep Dialogues Respectful and Loving

Words are powerful and can easily shift from uplifting to destructive, if not carefully curated. We ought to engage with others online in a respectful and loving manner, empathizing with people’s struggles and offering encouragement and hope. Remember, the goal is not to win arguments but to plant seeds of faith through compassionate conversations.

Let all bitterness, anger and wrath, shouting and slander be removed from you, along with all malice. And be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ.
Ephesians 4:31-32

Pray for the Connections You Make

Prayer is the foundation of any meaningful witness. Dedicate specific time to pray for the people you connect with online, whether they are friends, followers, or strangers. Pray for God to work in their hearts and use your digital presence as a vessel of his love.

A practical application of this could be praying for the people on your Instagram feed each morning. Consider praying for your Facebook friends whose last names start with A-D on Mondays, E-H on Tuesdays, etc.

Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is very powerful in its effect.
James 5:16

Be Authentic and Transparent

Authenticity is crucial in digital witness. Share your struggles, doubts, and victories as you walk in Christ’s light. Being transparent about your journey can resonate with others, making your witness more relatable and inspiring.

Consider David and his authentic and open conversations with God. Through heartfelt prayers and psalms, he lays bare his emotions, fears, and joys without reservation. His willingness to express vulnerability and honesty before Christ serves as a testament to his deep and genuine faith.

Therefore, putting away lying, speak the truth, each one to his neighbor, because we are members of one another.
Ephesians 4:25

Connect the Lonely

Online platforms can be powerful tools for combating loneliness by providing opportunities to connect with others worldwide. Through digital dialogues, we can offer encouragement and guidance, connecting lonely individuals to God, even if they may not have access to physical places of worship.

No one has greater love than this: to lay down his life for his friends.
John 15:13

Why is any of this important? Matthew 5:16 explains it well.

In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.

When you walk in Christ’s light both offline and online, it sparks others to also give glory to God. Technology offers an unprecedented opportunity to be a witness for Jesus Christ on a global scale. By cultivating a Christ-centered digital presence, engaging in respectful dialogue, praying for online connections, being authentic and transparent, and connecting the lonely, we can effectively spread the message of Christ’s love and redemption to a world in need. We all know the online world can be toxic, but rather than abandon it, we can strive to redeem it for Christ’s work.

PRAY:

Lord, like you did in Paul, “reveal your Son” in me.